Try Generosity

INTRODUCTION

Try = make an attempt or effort to do something

If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time

Today we are attacking another difficult topic

The goal is to take one step

TENSION

I’ll be generous when I have more

We all want to be generous.

But if we’re honest, generosity is something most of us plan to do later.

When I get that raise.

When the debt’s paid off.

When things calm down financially.

The tension is — there’s always another reason to wait.

And underneath that hesitation is something deeper:

Fear

What if I give and don’t have enough?

What if I give and then can’t pay my bills?”

Many people genuinely live under financial pressure, and generosity feels like a risk instead of an act of faith

Fear often disguises itself as wisdom

Generosity is one of the ways we learn to trust God’s provision

Convenience and Comfort

It’s easy to spend on what’s immediate and visible.

Generosity feels like a delay of gratification

and in a culture of “next-day delivery,” that’s hard

Generosity is a discipline that breaks the grip of self-centeredness and instant gratification

We don’t say it out loud, but many of us live as if generosity is a luxury of the rich, not a habit of the faithful

Yet Jesus consistently showed that generosity has little to do with amount and everything to do with trust.

TRUTH

Generosity is a Response, not a Reaction

2 Corinthians 9:6–15 “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!”

Generosity begins with a posture, not a paycheck.

God’s not asking us to give because He needs something — He’s inviting us to give because He’s already given us everything.

Think about it:

God gave His Son when we didn’t deserve it.

Jesus gave His life when we couldn’t repay it.

The Holy Spirit gives us grace every day we fall short.

When we give, we reflect the heart of the Giver

Last week we said that Forgiveness reflect the heart of God

Generosity doesn’t start in your wallet — it starts in your heart

APPLICATION

Try Generosity this week

If you want to experience more of God’s presence in your life, try trusting Him with your generosity.

Here’s how you can try it this week:

Pray before you give

Ask God, What do You want to do through me?

Give with joy, not guilt 

Whether it’s $5 or $500, do it with gratitude.

Look for opportunities beyond the church. Pay for someone’s meal, meet a need, bless a stranger

not to be noticed, but to reflect Jesus.

When you try generosity, you’re not losing something

you’re planting something

And when you plant seeds of generosity, you’ll always reap a harvest of joy

Generosity isn’t about what leaves your hand, it’s about what grows in your heart.

Generosity is a response not a reaction